Sunday, February 5, 2017

Wall's 24 points lead Wizards over Pelicans 105-91

John Wall had 24 points and 13 assists, Markieff Morris scored 18 points and the Wizards held New Orleans scoreless for the final 5:52 of the fourth quarter in a 105-91 win Saturday night.

Washington has won seven straight games for its longest winning streak since a seven-game stretch Jan. 2-15, 2005.

The Wizards limited the Pelicans to eight points in the fourth quarter on 3-for-21 shooting.

"I would like to think it was good defense. It was some of us, and they were missing shots," Washington coach Scott Brooks said. "Anytime you hold an NBA team to eight points, you're doing something good."

The Wizards also extended their home winning streak to 17 games, second-longest in franchise history.

Anthony Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead New Orleans, which lost its fourth straight. Davis, who was getting treatment on his right thigh after the game was held scoreless in the last quarter.

The Pelicans didn't score after Tyreke Evans hit a 3-pointer to take a 91-90 lead with 5:52 to play.

Morris' dunk 12 seconds later put the Wizards ahead and started a game-closing 15-0 run.

"You don't score the last five-six minutes of the game, there's a good probability you're going to lose the game," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said.

The Wizards (30-20) moved 10 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2014-15 season.

TIP INS:

Pelicans: G Buddy Hield, held scoreless on Sunday in the team's last meeting, shot 3 for 10 and had six points. Gentry isn't worried about Hield, who was a highly heralded player in college a year ago. Hield was recently moved into the starting lineup. "I think he's making progress. I think he's going to be a really good player in this league," Gentry said.

Wizards: F Danuel House, who has played in just one game this season, is nearing a return from his fractured right wrist. "You'll probably see him in the next 10 days or so. Maybe he plays in the D-League," Brooks said. ... Wall moved into 10th place on the team's all-time scoring list. ... C Marcin Gortat had 17 rebounds - 10 in the first quarter. ... Washington has won 22 games at home this season - equaling its 2015-16 home win total.

CLEVELAND COMING: Wall was asked if Monday's game against the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers was the biggest of his NBA career.

"It probably is. I've been in some big games before, but I don't think one bigger this year. They've been playing OK, but they're the defending champs. We know what team we have to chase in the East," Wall said.

Morris said that he was looking forward to it, too. "What's better than beating the best team in the East - or the second-best?"

NO HOLIDAY FOR JRUE: Pelicans G Jrue Holiday looked like he had a good chance for his third career triple-double after three quarters when he had 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

In the fourth quarter, Holiday missed all five shots, and had just one rebound and assist. He finished with a season-highs in rebounds (10) and turnovers (6).

New Orleans lost all three road games it played this week in Detroit, Toronto and Washington.